The Receptionist Will Weigh In on You and 4 More Secret Tips From Recruiters

POPSUGAR Photography | Rima Brindamour
POPSUGAR Photography | Rima Brindamour

The interview process can be nerve-racking for a variety of reasons — not the least of which is the mystery element. What is the hiring manager thinking? What do they value most in a candidate? What is their biggest pet peeve (and am I doing it right now?!)?

Fortune recently rounded up some of the best tips from recruiters at the country's top companies to work for, so take heed of these rules during your next interview and you might end up landing a dream gig at an awesome company.

01
Be nice to the receptionist.
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Be nice to the receptionist.

According to Cheryl Farnsworth, talent acquisition manager at Baird, the way you treat the person at the front desk speaks volumes about your character. "We ask our receptionists for their impressions and direct feedback. Any hint of arrogance or condescension is considered unacceptable, and any candidate who fails our 'receptionist test' does not receive a job offer."

02
Do not badmouth your past employer.
POPSUGAR Photography | Benjamin Stone

Do not badmouth your past employer.

Although you may still feel defensive about what went down with your last employer, try to refrain from badmouthing them in your interview, as it only reflects poorly on you. Mitra O'Connell, a recruiter at Camden Property Trust, states, "No matter how awful your last company, job, or boss may have been, do not speak negatively of them! This is the number one mistake I see constantly during interviews. There are ways of answering the question professionally without going into negative details."

03
Don't put your photo on your résumé!
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Don't put your photo on your résumé!

Even if your photo is not as cheesy as this picture, there's no need to include it on your résumé. That's the topmost piece of career advice from office administrator Judy Wiens at Baker Donelson: "Don't put your picture on your résumé. Do make eye contact during the conversation. Red flag: talking more about what you want than what you can contribute to the firm."

04
Focus on the company and the job — not the compensation and benefits.
StockSnap | Andrew Pons

Focus on the company and the job — not the compensation and benefits.

Similar to the advice about talking more about what you can contribute rather than what you want out of the company, it is wise to focus your enthusiasm on your reasons for wanting to work for this specific company, doing this particular job — rather than grilling your interviewer about money and perks.

As the talent acquisition team at SAS puts it: "We look for candidates who are interested and passionate about the position they are interviewing for. It can be a red flag if someone leads with compensation and benefits questions."

05
Respond quickly to emails.
POPSUGAR Photography | Rima Brindamour

Respond quickly to emails.

Old-school dating rules don't apply here — it won't make you seem cool if you wait a while before replying to emails from hiring managers. In fact, the sooner you respond, the more powerfully you'll convey your excitement for the opportunity. Here's what Tina Nguyen, workforce project manager at Scripps Health, suggests: "Since most everyone has smartphones, the common practice for enthusiastic potential hires is to respond to emails almost immediately. It's my recommendation to reply ASAP to stay ahead of the pack."